A deputation of Members of Parliament waited on Wednes- day
on the Secretary for War, to ask him whether the Govern- ment had arranged any scheme of defence in the event of invasion. Mr. Stanhope replied that the Government was well aware of the possibility of danger, and was rapidly organising the defence of the ports, one of its first objects being to make an attack on London by means of the Thames absolutely impossible. It had prepared a complete scheme of mobilisation, and was hoping to organise a third army corps composed partly of Militia and partly of Regulars, and sup- ported by all Volunteers not employed in the defence of the ports. They had no doubt, considering the enormous numbers of men who have passed through the Volunteers, of securing the necessary force ; and "we hope to be able to issue to the Volunteer Artillery two hundred mobile and eighty heavier guns." We trust that hope will be speedily realised, and that the ammunition and reserves of ammunition will be as ready as the guns. It is, we fear, a monstrous fact that in this country, the metal workshop of the world, the gravest military deficiency is mat4riel, and that, moreover, owing to the absence of preparation, the greatest energy will be necessary to fill the arsenals. Money will provide everything except time ; and if we are in danger at all, the time at our disposal will not be long. It may be as well for all authorities to remember that they cannot plead that anything has been refused by Parliament; that if a panic does occur, it will be of a most dangerous character ; and that the first rage of the people will be directed against them.
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